¹⁵ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, "Why do you deal this way with your servants?

¹⁶ No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, 'Make brick!' and, behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people."

^{17 Ref} But he said, "You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to Yahweh.'

^{18 Ref} Go therefore now, and work, for no straw shall be given to you, yet shall you deliver the same number of bricks!"

^{19 Ref} The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble, when it was said, "You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!"